Arikara Collection

Sitting Bear - Arikara, 1908. Artist: John Andrew & Son
Sitting Bear - Arikara, 1908. The Arikara are a semi-nomadic Native American tribe who lived on the plains of South Dakota. Their population was decimated by smallpox in the 1830s

Arikara chief, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Arikara chief, c1908. Photograph shows Sitting Bear, an Arikara chief, in full regalia, with a medallion around his neck. The medallion appears to bear the image of Millard Fillmore and the words

White Shield-Arikara, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
White Shield-Arikara, c1908. White Shield, half-length portrait, facing left

Sitting Bear-Arikara, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Sitting Bear-Arikara, c1908. Sitting Bear, Arikara man, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing front

Arikara Medicine Ceremony-The Ducks, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Arikara Medicine Ceremony-The Ducks, c1908. Photo shows three Arikara men, members of the medicine fraternity, dancing, painted to represent ducks and holding rushes

At the water's edge-Arikara, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
At the water's edge-Arikara, c1908. Young Arikara Indian standing in shallow water, wearing buckskin dress, with trees in background, North Dakota

Arikara woman, 1908, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Arikara woman, 1908, c1908. Half-length portrait, facing front

Night medicine men, 1908, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Night medicine men, 1908, c1908. Photo shows Arikara medicine ceremony with four night men dancing

The altar, 1908, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
The altar, 1908, c1908. Arikara Indian and altar

Bear rattles, 1908, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Bear rattles, 1908, c1908. Rattles of Arikara bear medicine men

Arikara medicine ceremony-the Bears, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Arikara medicine ceremony-the Bears, c1908. Photo shows six men standing in line in front of cedar tree, holding rattles and singing

Arikara girl, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Arikara girl, c1908

Bear's Belly, Arikara Indian half-length portrait, facing front, wearing bearskin, c1908

Arikara medicine fraternity-The prayer, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Arikara medicine fraternity-The prayer, c1908. Photo shows Arikara shamans, without shirts, backs to camera, seated in a semi-circle around a sacred cedar tree, tipis in background

The brush-gatherers-Arikara, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
The brush-gatherers-Arikara, c1908. Group of Arikara women in single file carrying bundles of sticks

Bear's Teeth-Arikara, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Bear's Teeth-Arikara, c1908. Bears Teeth, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing front, wearing headband

Arikara Medicine Ceremony - Dance of the Fraternity, 1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Arikara Medicine Ceremony - Dance of the Fraternity, 1908. [Native Americans in North Dakota]. Photogravure, plate 158 from " The North American Indian, volume 5" (1909)

Arikara Girl, 1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Arikara Girl, 1908. [Native American woman from North Dakota]. Photogravure, plate 165 from " The North American Indian, volume 5" (1909)

Arikara Medicine Ceremony - the Ducks, 1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Arikara Medicine Ceremony - the Ducks, 1908. [Native Americans in North Dakota]. Photogravure, plate 163 from " The North American Indian, volume 5" (1909)

Pshan-shaw, Sweet-scented Grass, Twelve-year-old Daughter of Bloody Hand, 1832

Mandan Attacking a Party of Arikara, 1832-1833. Creator: George Catlin
Mandan Attacking a Party of Arikara, 1832-1833

Foot War Party in Council, Mandan, 1835-1837. Creator: George Catlin
Foot War Party in Council, Mandan, 1835-1837

Riccarree Chief and His Wife, 1861 / 1869. Creator: George Catlin
Riccarree Chief and His Wife, 1861/1869. Stan-au-pat (chief) with Ka-beck-a (his wife) on the west bank of the Missour 1832

Three Riccarree Indians, 1861. Creator: George Catlin
Three Riccarree Indians, 1861

ARIKARA MEDICINE MEN, c1908. A group of Arikara medicine men in North Dakota. Photographed by Edward S. Curtis, c1908

CURTIS: WHITE SHIELD, c1908. White Shield, an Arikara Native American of the Great Plains. Photograph by Edward Curtis, c1908

ARIKARA CHIEF, 1908. Sitting Bear, an Arikara chief. Photographed by Edward S. Curtis, 1908

Drawing of a cattail game played by Arikara Native American children. Drawing by Louis Schellenbach, 1928
NATIVE AMERICAN GAME. Drawing of a cattail game played by Arikara Native American children. Drawing by Louis Schellenbach, 1928

White Shield, Arikara Native Indian c1908. By Edward Curtis 1868-1952 photographer

ARIKARA SHAMANS, c1908. A group of Arikara shamans seated in a semicircle around a sacred cedar tree on the Great Plains in North Dakota. Photographed by Edward S. Curtis, c1908

NIGHT MEDICINE MEN, c1908. A group of four night medicine men of the Arikara tribe walking together, in traditional dress. Photographed by Edward S. Curtis, c1908

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The Arikara people, also known as the Sahnish, have a rich and vibrant history that is beautifully captured in these captivating photographs. In "Sitting Bear - Arikara, " taken in 1908 by John Andrew & Son, we see the dignified presence of an Arikara chief. His regal stature and wise gaze reflect the strength and resilience of his tribe. Edward Sheriff Curtis's photograph titled "Arikara Medicine Ceremony - Dance of the Fraternity" transports us to a sacred moment in Arikara culture. The intricate dance movements and colorful attire showcase their deep connection to spirituality and community. In another Curtis masterpiece, "Arikara Girl, " taken in 1908, we are introduced to a young girl who embodies both innocence and strength. Her traditional clothing adorned with beautiful beadwork speaks volumes about her cultural heritage. Curtis's lens takes us further into the heart traditions with "Arikara Medicine Ceremony - The Ducks. " This image captures a powerful ritual where participants honor nature through dance and song. It serves as a reminder of their profound respect for the natural world. Moving back in time, George Catlin's painting "Mandan Attacking a Party of Arikara" depicts an intense battle scene from 1832-1833. It reminds us that alongside moments of celebration and ceremony, there were also times when tribes had to defend themselves against external threats. Catlin's work continues with "Foot War Party in Council, Mandan" from 1835-1837. This painting offers insight into intertribal diplomacy during challenging times—a testament to their ability to come together for mutual benefit despite historical conflicts. George Catlin's portraits like "Riccarree Chief and His Wife" from 1861/1869 capture intimate glimpses into individual lives within the broader Arikara society. These images humanize Native Americans by showcasing their unique personalities, relationships, and cultural expressions.